Titanic's Turkish Baths

5 Interesting Facts About Titanic's Luxurious Turkish Baths

From a squash racquet court, state-of-the-art gymnasium (complete with an electric horse for simulated riding), and heated pool, first-class passengers aboard the Titanic were the recipients of some of the ship's finest perks. It was the elaborate Turkish baths, located on the middle deck, though, that were one of the most impressive amenities of all.

A popular activity during the Victorian era, Turkish baths provided a place for rest, relaxation, and plenty of perspiration. While the baths were among the first areas to flood before the vessel went down, thanks to well-kept records and a 2005 search by remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), we have a sense of what it was really like to sit and soak aboard the Ship of Dreams. So in remembrance of the 100-year anniversary of the passenger liner's tragic ending, let's take a closer look at Titanic's Turkish baths.

The fee: To enter, first-class passengers paid $1, which is equivalent to about $23 today.

The stewards: There were five Turkish bath stewards on the ship, sadly, three of which perished during the ill-fated voyage.

The experience: The suite was comprised of steam room, a hot room, a temperate room, and shampooing rooms. While in these areas, visitors would often get massages, take a dip in the adjacent salt-water pool, and sit in an ultramodern electrically heated bed. At the end of their therapeutic journey, clients would relax and unwind even further in a section dubbed the cooling room.

What it looked like inside: The cooling room has been described as one of the most opulent areas on the liner. Decorated in bold green and blue tiles, the overall design scheme featured a Moorish-inspired feel, with portholes covered in elaborately carved Cairo curtains. (See a 3D rendering of the cooling room, created by 3D History in the video above.)

What remains today: In James Cameron's 2005 documentary "Last Mysteries of the Titanic," he, along with a Discovery Channel team, delved deeper into the ship with the assistance of ROVs. What they found was astounding. Many of the vividly hued tiles in the cooling room still remain intact, and remarkably, a steward's call button can even be spotted among the wreckage.